Fred has Changed Dining Times on Bolette and Borealis

[tring]

Dining times have now been changed to 6pm for first sitting and 8pm for second sitting.  Makes second sitting a bit better, but still no sign of the flexible dining which was promised and bookable on those ships when they were first marketed, so you could eat early some nights and later on other nights, which we are expecting now.

 

Seems he is going to do trials on Balmoral, so may be some sort of change there in the future.  They still stand at 6.15pm and 8.30pm respectively at present.

 

Edited July 30 by tring

[Eglesbrech]

That’s interesting.

 

We are just off Balmoral and they changed the second seating show to 7pm on about half of the evenings, previously it has only been the odd night and the last night to let people get to bed at a reasonable time if they want to.

 

I actually prefer to see a show before dinner however we were not aware of this change before boarding so it mucked up our speciality dining bookings. I think if the time was permanently 7pm this would encourage more people to dine late. Second seating was half empty and first packed out with people requesting it onboard and being told no. 

 

I wonder if this is perhaps part of the same trial?

[tring]

2 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

That’s interesting.

 

We are just off Balmoral and they changed the second seating show to 7pm on about half of the evenings, previously it has only been the odd night and the last night to let people get to bed at a reasonable time if they want to.

 

I actually prefer to see a show before dinner however we were not aware of this change before boarding so it mucked up our speciality dining bookings. I think if the time was permanently 7pm this would encourage more people to dine late. Second seating was half empty and first packed out with people requesting it onboard and being told no. 

 

I wonder if this is perhaps part of the same trial?

 

Seems to be some concerns about the kitchens on Balmoral, of course a stretched ship, so possibly only the original kitchens, and trying to produce speciality meals as well.  NOt so sure I would want an early show, but we often do not go to the shows anyway.  WE have not been on Fred since last Nov/Dec round trip Caribbean, though are booked on one next May.  Just looking at the odd itinerary which we had always fancied, otherwise we have no interest in Fred.  Would need a flexible dining and other changes before we would go back to doing more with him, like a return to the really good itineraries he used to do and I do not see that coming at all.

 

Have you heard that Peter deer has gone?  Times they are a changing:-

 

https://media.fredolsencruises.com/news/peter-deer-steps-down-as-fred-olsen-cruise-lines-chief-financial-officer-486559?fbclid=IwY2xjawEaI9FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHY2TpAkl67zYQloP6am3i4vncc03jwrYJ1T5SmF2Yw62Zv881S4i1PnGlQ_aem_jwLE2-PeJndU5vB25IgnYQ

 

 

[Eglesbrech]

3 minutes ago, tring said:

 

Seems to be some concerns about the kitchens on Balmoral, of course a stretched ship, so possibly only the original kitchens, and trying to produce speciality meals as well.  NOt so sure I would want an early show, but we often do not go to the shows anyway.  WE have not been on Fred since last Nov/Dec round trip Caribbean, though are booked on one next May.  Just looking at the odd itinerary which we had always fancied, otherwise we have no interest in Fred.  Would need a flexible dining and other changes before we would go back to doing more with him, like a return to the really good itineraries he used to do and I do not see that coming at all.

 

Have you heard that Peter deer has gone?  Times they are a changing:-

 

https://media.fredolsencruises.com/news/peter-deer-steps-down-as-fred-olsen-cruise-lines-chief-financial-officer-486559?fbclid=IwY2xjawEaI9FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHY2TpAkl67zYQloP6am3i4vncc03jwrYJ1T5SmF2Yw62Zv881S4i1PnGlQ_aem_jwLE2-PeJndU5vB25IgnYQ

 

 

Yes I had seen the piece about Peter Deer.

 

I think there will be more changes to come.

 

There were a few things that were a little different onboard as well as the 7pm shows. There were a lot of “theme” nights in the bars to encourage even those with a package to try the new offerings. So in addition to the usual cheese and wine and martini evening there was a  margarita night in the pub with staff dressed in Mexican style, olympics inspired cocktails, a cocktail of the region night which as it was Iceland was “fire and ice”.

 

It worked as there were a lot of people drinking fancy cocktails. Every little adds to the profits I suppose.

 

We had a lovely cruise. Interesting ports, good weather etc.

[tring]

2 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

Yes I had seen the piece about Peter Deer.

 

I think there will be more changes to come.

 

There were a few things that were a little different onboard as well as the 7pm shows. There were a lot of “theme” nights in the bars to encourage even those with a package to try the new offerings. So in addition to the usual cheese and wine and martini evening there was a  margarita night in the pub with staff dressed in Mexican style, olympics inspired cocktails, a cocktail of the region night which as it was Iceland was “fire and ice”.

 

It worked as there were a lot of people drinking fancy cocktails. Every little adds to the profits I suppose.

 

We had a lovely cruise. Interesting ports, good weather etc.

 

Where did your cruise go?  Was it a good itinerary?  I imagine any cruise from Rosyth or Newcastle must be a big advantage to you though.

 

[Eglesbrech]

@tring it was from Rosyth so lovely to leave the ship yesterday morning and be home, cases unpacked washing done and on the line and food delivery all done before we would have even been home normally.

 

I really enjoyed the itinerary which had 4 ports I have not been to before. Given that we have done many, many cruises that’s unusual for me. 
 

Cruising by Duncasby sea stacks Cruising Pentland Firth
Cruising
Vestmannaeyjar* Vestmannaeyjar *
Reykjavík, Iceland

Grundarfjörður, Iceland*
Cruising by Hrísey
Cruising Eyjafjörður
Akureyri, Iceland
Husavik, Iceland*
Cruising
Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands Cruising
Rosyth, Scotland

 

We couldn’t  get into the first tender port which was a pity but the Captain cruised around Haiamay (sic) and we went right up the the Elephant rocks. 
 

A lot of sea life on the trip and with Orca onboard they were explaining what they were! Seeing whales became quite a common sight.

 

The guest speaker was a geologist and gave absolutely fascinating talks. I knew all about Pangea but had never even heard of Laurentia and Avelonia. He explained why Scotlands geology is more like Iceland, Greeneland and Canada and nothing like England and Wales. 
 

I also really loved the day in Husavic. Im a great Eurovision fan so went to the small Eurovision museum there and visited the sets used in Eurovision Fire Saga.

 

All in all a very pleasant voyage. Good service, decent food, interesting places and I learned something new.

[tring]

1 hour ago, Eglesbrech said:

@tring it was from Rosyth so lovely to leave the ship yesterday morning and be home, cases unpacked washing done and on the line and food delivery all done before we would have even been home normally.

 

I really enjoyed the itinerary which had 4 ports I have not been to before. Given that we have done many, many cruises that’s unusual for me. 
 

Cruising by Duncasby sea stacks Cruising Pentland Firth
Cruising
Vestmannaeyjar* Vestmannaeyjar *
Reykjavík, Iceland

Grundarfjörður, Iceland*
Cruising by Hrísey
Cruising Eyjafjörður
Akureyri, Iceland
Husavik, Iceland*
Cruising
Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands Cruising
Rosyth, Scotland

 

We couldn’t  get into the first tender port which was a pity but the Captain cruised around Haiamay (sic) and we went right up the the Elephant rocks. 
 

A lot of sea life on the trip and with Orca onboard they were explaining what they were! Seeing whales became quite a common sight.

 

The guest speaker was a geologist and gave absolutely fascinating talks. I knew all about Pangea but had never even heard of Laurentia and Avelonia. He explained why Scotlands geology is more like Iceland, Greeneland and Canada and nothing like England and Wales. 
 

I also really loved the day in Husavic. Im a great Eurovision fan so went to the small Eurovision museum there and visited the sets used in Eurovision Fire Saga.

 

All in all a very pleasant voyage. Good service, decent food, interesting places and I learned something new.

 

Good to hear some cruises are ok.  Fred always was considered better when going north.  A long trip south with loads of sea days may have been our mistake.  We expected a relaxing trip, but the Fred ship was not the place for that, the way it was ran.  The bulk of people suffered to cater for the few.

 

 

[Leither]

20 hours ago, tring said:

 

Good to hear some cruises are ok.  Fred always was considered better when going north.  A long trip south with loads of sea days may have been our mistake.  We expected a relaxing trip, but the Fred ship was not the place for that, the way it was ran.  The bulk of people suffered to cater for the few.

 

 

Strange, we’ve done many trips with Fred Olsen and never had any problems with the sea days, always loads to keep us occupied including interesting speakers.

 

Regards.

[tring]

2 hours ago, Leither said:

Strange, we’ve done many trips with Fred Olsen and never had any problems with the sea days, always loads to keep us occupied including interesting speakers.

 

Regards.

 

We had previously, but a multitude of problems on our last cruise, from cabin (things they never sorted, no matter how much we asked) to all bars during the daytime being taken over by noisy, intrusive "activities" such as a choir, drama etc., so nowhere to sit and enjoy a drink during the day.  Also most of the sun beds had been taken away (Olsen family member order) and this was a round trip to the Caribbean, so sunny sea days are what most people wanted when the weather was good.  Fred has changed beyond our limits, but a shame as, I agree, he did used to be good.  Replying to this has just reminded me how much of a nightmare that cruise was TBH.

 

[Leither]

4 hours ago, tring said:

 

We had previously, but a multitude of problems on our last cruise, from cabin (things they never sorted, no matter how much we asked) to all bars during the daytime being taken over by noisy, intrusive "activities" such as a choir, drama etc., so nowhere to sit and enjoy a drink during the day.  Also most of the sun beds had been taken away (Olsen family member order) and this was a round trip to the Caribbean, so sunny sea days are what most people wanted when the weather was good.  Fred has changed beyond our limits, but a shame as, I agree, he did used to be good.  Replying to this has just reminded me how much of a nightmare that cruise was TBH.

 

Sorry to hear that, we’ve cruised with Fred Olsen each of the last three years and they’ve been excellent. Also got upgraded on the last two to the top suites so can’t complain. We’ve taken to booking whilst onboard for the following year, usually good deals. 
Do agree that some of the destinations don’t seem as interesting as in the past.

 

Regards.

[gsmt47471015]

On 7/30/2024 at 2:16 PM, tring said:

Dining times have now been changed to 6pm for first sitting and 8pm for second sitting.  Makes second sitting a bit better, but still no sign of the flexible dining which was promised and bookable on those ships when they were first marketed, so you could eat early some nights and later on other nights, which we are expecting now.

 

Seems he is going to do trials on Balmoral, so may be some sort of change there in the future.  They still stand at 6.15pm and 8.30pm respectively at present.

 

just had an e mail confirming dining time changes on Balmoral also , its only 30 minutes so not an issue , we have never had set dining in over twenty years so another first for us😀

[tring]

4 hours ago, gsmt47471015 said:

just had an e mail confirming dining time changes on Balmoral also , its only 30 minutes so not an issue , we have never had set dining in over twenty years so another first for us😀

 

Thanks for posting about this.  We are booked on a couple of Balmoral cruises next year, but have not heard anything as yet.  Are the changes the same as for the other ships (6pm and 8pm).  They may only be for a trial period at present, which would explain why we have not heard anything.  Yes the set dining is a big pain from our point of view as well, really archaic nowadays.

 

Edited August 8 by tring

[gsmt47471015]

The e mail stated it was in response to guests requests but said it was this cruise but stopped at saying only this cruise , so unfortunately you may have to wait and see ,and yes the change is exactly as the other ships👍 

[tring]

4 hours ago, gsmt47471015 said:

The e mail stated it was in response to guests requests but said it was this cruise but stopped at saying only this cruise , so unfortunately you may have to wait and see ,and yes the change is exactly as the other ships👍 

  

Thanks, sounds like it is probably a trial then.  It is only last week that Fred announced the permanent changes on the other ships and they mentioned they would be doing trials on Balmoral before deciding what to do on her.

 

We are on second sitting, so 8pm, better for us, having said that the time is are a bit different on formal nights (8.15pm) and I think embarkation day is different as well.   The problem is they are very few people have been choosing second sitting as it is so late.  First sitting is extremely busy, with very few on second sitting.  Will be interesting to see what happens with the new times.

  

[Jules.]

I’m due to sail on Bolette in October and received the dining times email around three weeks ago. I’d rather eat earlier rather than later, so I’m not concerned by the changes. 

[gsmt47471015]

7 hours ago, tring said:

  

Thanks, sounds like it is probably a trial then.  It is only last week that Fred announced the permanent changes on the other ships and they mentioned they would be doing trials on Balmoral before deciding what to do on her.

 

We are on second sitting, so 8pm, better for us, having said that the time is are a bit different on formal nights (8.15pm) and I think embarkation day is different as well.   The problem is they are very few people have been choosing second sitting as it is so late.  First sitting is extremely busy, with very few on second sitting.  Will be interesting to see what happens with the new times.

  

We too are on second sitting and were happy with 8.30 now changed to 8 pm ,we are ok with this but do not wish to eat any earlier, normal time on other ships (with freedom/anytime dining) is between 8.15 and 8.30, it will be different having a set time and set table on this cruise however we are prepared to give anything a try 

[Slugsta]

We have booked our first Fred cruise - 5 day 'mystery cruise' on Bolette In November 25 - and were offered 6pm or 8pm for dinner.

[tring]

We are booked on Balmoral next year and just had email saying dining times have been changed to the times already decided for the other ships.  So seems they have been changed permanently on her as well.

 

[Eglesbrech]

On 8/13/2024 at 6:22 PM, tring said:

We are booked on Balmoral next year and just had email saying dining times have been changed to the times already decided for the other ships.  So seems they have been changed permanently on her as well.

 

Yes we got an email as well. We always book second so this suits us just fine.

[Priya2]

On 8/4/2024 at 10:32 AM, tring said:

 

We had previously, but a multitude of problems on our last cruise, from cabin (things they never sorted, no matter how much we asked) to all bars during the daytime being taken over by noisy, intrusive "activities" such as a choir, drama etc., so nowhere to sit and enjoy a drink during the day.  Also most of the sun beds had been taken away (Olsen family member order) and this was a round trip to the Caribbean, so sunny sea days are what most people wanted when the weather was good.  Fred has changed beyond our limits, but a shame as, I agree, he did used to be good.  Replying to this has just reminded me how much of a nightmare that cruise was TBH.

 

How weird to remove sun beds on a Cruise to a warm climate.

[tring]

12 hours ago, Priya2 said:

How weird to remove sun beds on a Cruise to a warm climate.

 

Yep, but owner decision rules on Fred and apparently a very senior Olsen as well.  A lot of the family were on the cruise to Canada a few months earlier.  We were told by a senior member of staff that they would get more out once in the Caribbean, which they did, but they started to go again by the first sea day after leaving the Caribbean.  Could be plenty of space for everyone to do what they want on those ships, but by day everywhere seemed to be taken over by noisy activities, like choir, drama, etc., so no bar where we could just go and have a peaceful drink.  If you like lots of organised activities, you may well like Fred's long cruises, but not for us again, unless lots of port days.

 

I wonder if this will still happen now Samantha Simpson is CEO.  I have a feeling she will be allowed to do what she considers best for the cruise line, rather than the wishes of one or more family members.  The Owners Suite has a massive balcony, so lack of sunbeds will not have bothered the family.  Perhaps they injected to too many paying passengers taking over the decks.

 

Edited August 21 by tring

[Priya2]

1 hour ago, tring said:

 

Yep, but owner decision rules on Fred and apparently a very senior Olsen as well.  A lot of the family were on the cruise to Canada a few months earlier.  We were told by a senior member of staff that they would get more out once in the Caribbean, which they did, but they started to go again by the first sea day after leaving the Caribbean.  Could be plenty of space for everyone to do what they want on those ships, but by day everywhere seemed to be taken over by noisy activities, like choir, drama, etc., so no bar where we could just go and have a peaceful drink.  If you like lots of organised activities, you may well like Fred's long cruises, but not for us again, unless lots of port days.

 

I wonder if this will still happen now Samantha Simpson is CEO.  I have a feeling she will be allowed to do what she considers best for the cruise line, rather than the wishes of one or more family members.  The Owners Suite has a massive balcony, so lack of sunbeds will not have bothered the family.  Perhaps they injected to too many paying passengers taking over the decks.

 

Let’s hope the new CEO can do that. I heard that they have the same financial issues as most cruise lines. I want them to do well, so that we continue to have cruises from Newcastle and Liverpool. We’re not really interested in long cruises. We have taken lots of 3/4 weeks holidays (flights and road trips). We prefer a week or so away at a time now.